Victor Wembanyama’s 40-point outburst helped the San Antonio Spurs defeat the New York Knicks in a thrilling game. It was all go-go for Wemby with 20 rebounds and seven assists as the game went on toward the finish.
Shortly after the final throw of the evening, Wembanyama, perhaps trying to keep Knicks player Jalen Brunson from getting his hands on the ball, hugged it and then threw it into the crowd.
The Spurs player did not learn that he had been fined $25,000 by the NBA for his deed until the game had concluded.
On the last play of the game, Wembanyama stole the ball after receiving a long pass. He then put his arms around the ball, gave a courtside fan a high five, and threw the ball into the audience a few rows away.
In the game, he finished with 40 points, 20 rebounds, and seven assists. It was only the fifth game with so many points, rebounds, and assists in the previous 46 years and the first such stat line by an NBA rookie since 1974.
The overwhelming favorite to win rookie of the year is Wembanyama, the first overall selection in the previous year’s draft. This season, he is averaging 21.5 points and 10.5 rebounds.